Page 25 – Bartok design Co.

slanted ofuro 3D

Is the ofuro free standing?
Or is it built into a ledge?
Since it has a slanted edge, do you see it from outside?

We had problems explaining the image to the client so we resorted to sketchup and everything was easy!

It is drafted quite roughly, but if you want you can download the model below from the sketchup warehouse.
We also have another couple of models in the warehouse. Search with “bartok” as keyword, or download from this page: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search/models?q=bartokdesign

161019-ofuro-3D-side

161019-ofuro-3D-top

161019-ofuro-3D-front

2 times water repellent?

Is the product that you use to make the wood water-repellant available to purchase for continuing the practice – or is it a one-time product (only to be applied when the tub is new) ?

The water repellent “Kihada ichi-ban” this is used only to finish the new product. Since it penetrates inside the wood fibers it would not be absorbed if applied multiple times.

step/bench for ofuro

Do you have a photo of the step/bench as it relates to the tub?

Step-benches (as the name says) can be used both to easily enter/egress the tub and as a place to sit and relax after the tub. Of course it can be used also to hold some towels or even your champagne bucket…
The sizes are custom made to match your space and way of use.

Please find here below some examples of tub/bench combinations.

Hinoki 500x400x400H

Hinoki 400x320x300H

Hinoki 609x450x648H
This is particular. We made it with the height to match the height of the tub.

Hinoki 600x300x300H

ofuro for the elderly

Nowadays wooden bathtubs are popular in rehabilitation facilities and retirement homes for the elderly.
Wood is soft and warm and it is very appreciated especially by people with pain or physical limitations.
Here below are two examples. it is easy to mount railings or neck holder fixtures.
elderly3
Also, it is common to install a movable partition inside to adjust the size. This way it can be used by multiple people as well as singularly.
elderly2
The worry is that if the tub is too big, elderly people may slip inside the tub and drown.
For this reason it is recommended to use a size so that you can reach the back end of the tub with your feet.
elderly1
This thinking is recommended in general while it is not really necessary for an adult/fit person.

approx cost for sushi counter

Hello,
I am interested in a custom hinoki sushi bar counter ( 21’x2′) for a restaurant. I would like to find out a rough estimate (cost of the item as well as shipping, tax, etc). Please let me know.
Thank you!

Thank you for your inquiry!
Are you looking for a counter in solid lumber or veneered?
Let me give you a rough idea about the 2 options.
1) solid counter (imagine a sushi bar in Tokyo Ginza…):
it is difficult to find lumber to match exactly the request.
You would have to cut the length or the width which is a waste.
Usually designers look for a lumber of a size close to the request and then match the design of the shop.
For your reference a lumber 20 Ft. long would be around 8-10 million jpy .

2 ) laminated counter covered with hinoki thick veneer(5mm).
In this case of course we can make a counter to match your sizes (maximum length is 22Ft.) in this case the cost would be about 3 million JPY.

We are looking forward to working with you and remain at your disposal for any question/problem.

remote control system for ofuro

Our current tub has a section on the side with filter, pump, heater, cleaner, and controls. I would prefer to have a remote system that would drain the tub after use into a temperature controlled, insulated holding tank, that would have a pump to refill the tub just before using. I saw that you had a drawing of a similar system. Would it be possible to get an email link with the people who did or used that design? We also would like a cutout on the top of the tub for controlled overflow to a drain.
How would you recommend doing that in such a way that it looked good and the water wouldn\’t stain the tub? Ideally everything I do will last 50+ years (except for the electronics – which is unrealistic for now).
Thanks in advance

About the equipment part (pump, filter, disinfection system, post-heating etc.) we cannot supply it.
You will have to ask a spa equipment company in maui to custom make for you a system. I hear that most people use ozone purifiers for wooden tubs.

About filling, heating and recirculating systems (very common in japanese households) we cannot supply it as we would not be able to do the maintenance/send spare parts. So again, you will have to have a custom made one. You can set up very easily a system with solenoid valves and magnet switches or software controlled (LAN) automation.

About the longevity: we treat the tubs with a water repellent full penetration product which add to the natural hinoki performance against rot and mold. Said so, I think that you should consider a life-span of 10-15 years for a tub used outdoors.

We are looking forward to working with you and remain at your disposal for any problem/question.

about sloped sides ofuro

Hi, Great looking products! I live on Maui in Hawaii and have
had a hinoki O-Furo since 2004. It is located outside, open air, but
covered with a roof and about a 100 meters from the ocean. We have used
it every day, 5 months of the year and keep water in it, with occasional
draining and refills. We use an electronic water purifier with
occasional small doses of chlorine (which I want to stop) and the wood
has stayed in pretty good shape, although it does feather occasionally.
The outside bottom has just started to rot and will require replacement
in the near future. The current tub is 5 feet in diameter, 27 inches
deep, and has straight sides. My first question is: Is there any reason
for sloped sides other than aesthetics? I prefer the look of sloped
sides, but I am not sure it will be easy to retrofit.

Thank you for your interest in our japanese bathtubs!
We made barrel type ofuro (maru-buro) with almost straight edges even if some slant is needed to cling on the metal bands.
If you like it slanted, no problem: this is the normal shape.

compact tub for Zurich

This ofuro in asnaro wood is going to be installed in place of a shower box in a renovation project in Switzerland.

The client carefully planned the layout so you can look out from the window while sitting in the tub.

It is difficult to understand just by seeing the picture, but the “feet” of the tub are on the short side instead of the long side (as usual). Being the tub is a long and narrow niche, the short side will be the front so it makes sense to use this detail both aesthetically and maintenance wise.

This point deserves a clarification.

Basically, the feet (sleepers) also have a structural function in stiffening the bottom plank so usually we cannot place them on the short sides. There are 2 exceptions:

We use thicker wood for the planks so that the bottom does not need additional framing. Here is an example. This detail can add considerably to the cost, especially if combined with a 90 degrees corners detail. As opposed to the standard T shaped corner.
The tub is reasonably small. Which is the case in this Zurich example. In this case there is no extra cost involved.

View of the mesmerizing interior of the ofuro!

Here are the specs:

material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn)

size: L900mm x W700 x H690mm (ext. dim.) – depth 600mm

details: copper apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-left

shipping using DHL, FEDEX, USHIP

We shipped the round tub to singapore using DHL.
Recently Fedex and DHL are becoming more and more competitive costwise.

Also, we learned from a client a new way to find a competitive shipping company.
See the link below.
http://www.uship.com/ca/shipment/wooden-bathtub-httpbartokdesigncomproduc/657797908/

Basically, if I understand, you put tentatively your infomration and some shippers or other users (a kind of group-on?) contact you if there a good option of the possibility of consolidating the shipping.

Best luck!

koyamaki tubs for singapore

We produced 3 tubs for a spa in Singapore.

As we did not have stock of hinoki (it takes at least 2 months to natural dry the lumber) we proposed to use koyamaki wood.
Koyamaki is the most prized of the “5 trees of the kiso valley” (koyamaki, hinoki, asnaro, sawara, nezuko) and is even more rot-resistant (and more expensive) than hinoki.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciadopitys

In this case, we used Koyamaki-B grade, with small knots on both sides. Koyamaki is more knotty than hinoki, thus a knotless koyamaki tub really becomes a premium item.

I did not have time to take the photos in advance since time is tight and the tubs are being packaged.

We are placing the accessories inside to contain the shipping volume as much as possible.

The tubs will be equipped with ledge mounted spouts.

I am looking forward to see the tubs installed and of course … to rush to Singapore for a relaxing and aromatic plunge!

Here are the specs for the tubs:

Material: Japanese Koyamaki B grade (quartersawn, small knots)

sizes: L1800mm x W1200 x H640mm (ext. dim.) 560mm(deep)

details: wooden dowels, copper apron, iron brand at top-right cornerHinoki

accessories: wood wall/ledge mounted spout D type

Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)

Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H)

Update!

Our clients, the Elements Wellness Spa in Centrepoint, Singapore have created a fun video showing the spa experience. It’s gorgeous!

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